A Reading A Z Level J Leveled Book Word Count: 296 Discussion Questions Analyze: What kinds of foods might be in a meal in? Which foods would you like? Evaluate: How are Mexican celebrations different from your own celebrations? How are they the same? LEVELED BOOK J Written by Taylor Campos Visit www.readinga-z.com for thousands of books and materials. www.readinga-z.com
cactus (n.) canyons (n.) Glossary a desert plant that usually has spines instead of leaves (p. 12) deep valleys with steep sides that are usually formed by rivers (p. 8) chile peppers (n.) deserts (n.) fireworks (n.) parades (n.) the fruits of the pepper plant, which are often used to make spicy seasonings (p. 13) areas of land that do not usually get much rain (p. 8) devices that produce light, sound, and smoke when lit, often used for celebrations (p. 11) people or vehicles moving forward at a regular pace during celebrations or ceremonies (p. 11) Written by Taylor Campos www.readinga-z.com 16
Photo Credits: Front cover, back cover: pius99/istock Editorial/Thinkstock; title page: Patricio Robles Gil/NPL/Minden Pictures; page 3: Javarman/ Dreamstime.com; page 5: Vladimir Gerasimov/Alamy; page 6: Arturo Osorno/Dreamstime.com; page 7: Elzbieta Sekowska/iStock Editorial/ Thinkstock; page 9: Michelle Gilders/Alamy; page 10: Robert Harding World Imagery/Alamy; page 11: Eye Ubiquitous/Alamy; page 12: John Elk III/ Alamy; page 13: foto76/istock/thinkstock; page 14: MIKE THEISS/National Geographic Creative; page 15 (main): Javiercorrea15/Dreamstime.com; page 15 (inset): asafta/istock/thinkstock Front and back cover A Mexican dancer spins around in her traditional dress at a dance show. Title page: A quetzal nests in a tree in. Page 3: The ruins of the Maya can be seen near Palenque (pah-len-keh), a town in. Population: 120,286,655 Land: 1,964,375 sq km (758,450 sq. mi.) Capital City: City Primary Language: Spanish Currency: Peso (PAY-soh) Countries Around the World Level J Leveled Book Learning A Z Written by Taylor Campos All rights reserved. www.readinga-z.com Correlation LEVEL J Fountas & Pinnell Reading Recovery DRA J 17 18 Source: Central Intelligence Agency (July 2014), World Bank Level J 15
People from all over the world come to visit s beaches. Conclusion is an exciting country. Many different people and animals live there. What is your favorite thing about? Table of Contents Where Is It?.................. 4 People....................... 7 Land........................ 8 Animals...................... 9 Celebrations.................. 10 Food........................ 12 Conclusion................... 14 Glossary..................... 16 14 Level J 3
United States People in often use peppers in their food. Some peppers are hot, like chile Baja Peninsula PACIFIC OCEAN NORTH AMERICA Gulf of California City Gulf of Yucatán Peninsula Belize (CHIH-lee) peppers. Some peppers just make food taste different. SOUTH AMERICA Guatemala San Salvador Honduras Where Is It? is a country in North America. To the north of it is the United States. To the south of it is Central America. To the east and west of is the sea. 4 Peppers are used in many Mexican dishes. Level J 13
Mexicans use corn to make tortillas (tohr-tee-uhz). Food Corn is an important food in. It is in almost every meal. People in also eat parts of cactus. They eat chicken and pork. Some people eat food from the sea. 12 Many cities in have old as well as new buildings. More than 120 million people live in. Most of them live in cities. Level J 5
People also remember the day long ago when began its fight to be free. They dress up and walk in parades. They light fireworks to celebrate. Mountains surround City. Two of the mountains are volcanoes. The capital of is City. It is one of the oldest cities in North America. It also has more people than any other city in North America! Fireworks are part of Mexican Independence Day celebrations. 6 Level J 11
Toys for the Day of the Dead are skulls and skeletons. Celebrations People in celebrate many special days. The Day of the Dead lasts three days. It is a happy time. People remember their loved ones. They light candles and wear masks. 10 Some American Indian people in speak their own languages. People Most people in speak Spanish. More people speak Spanish in than anywhere else. Level J 7
Sonoran Desert s Landforms Baja Peninsula PACIFIC OCEAN Copper Canyon Gulf of California Chihuahuan Desert Mexican Plateau Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains City Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains Pico de Orizaba Gulf of Yucatán Peninsula Land Mountains and canyons cover much of. Dry deserts are in the north. Forests cover land to the south. Two pieces of land stretch into the ocean. Baja (BAH-hah) is like a long finger. Yucatán (yoo-kah-tahn) is more like a thumb. Mountain lions roam the deserts of. Animals Many different animals call home. Parrots, frogs, and many other animals live in the hot, wet forests. Foxes, lizards, and other animals live in the hot, dry deserts. 8 Level J 9